Last weekend marked the final theme park visit of this year on the agenda. Initially, I had my doubts about going. A first visit to one of the many parks on my bucket list, with, given the winter season, the two most iconic roller coasters there being closed. Yeah, that makes you wonder if the trip is really worth it. But, with a well-put-together program, and knowing that it’s always a lively time with the boys and girls of ACE, I eventually signed up. Not long after, the flights and bus were booked, and the countdown began.
A Poppy Hamburger#
Last Friday was the big day. With the group steadily growing, the course first took us southward. Together with Jeroen, Jo, Ralf, and myself, we had booked a joint flight from Brussels. After a quick bite and something liquid for the stomach, we were already flying high in a small Airbus A319 of Brussels Airlines a little after 4 PM. After a short flight and a bit of busing, we reached our destination in just over two hours: the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg.
Since we already had a dinner reservation, it was a quick check-in at the Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel. A quick room tour later, we were off to the city. By now, a few more ACE members had joined, and with a group of eight, it was time to quell the hunger that had crept up. Instead of walking, we decided to take the tram to the restaurant. And with that, I could cross another item off my bucket list. Paying for public transport in Sweden is similar to back home—scanners, tapping your card at entry and exit, and you’re good to go. But when a big red error crosses the screen for both your debit card, credit card, and Apple Pay, you do scratch your head. Even more so when you’re on your way and suddenly hear “tickets please” behind you, and a cheerful conductor is looking your way.
Luckily, he had also seen my struggles with the scanner. I even tried multiple scanners on the tram. “It’s OK, if you buy a ticket through the app, that works too,” he reassured me. Apparently, more tourists had faced this problem. But by the time I had downloaded the app, we were already past the four stops we needed, and it was time to get off. So, fare evasion abroad can also be ticked off the bucket list. Ultimately, I understand the leniency. Browsing through the app later, I saw that a day pass for public transport in the city center was just 3 euros.
With even more hunger, we finally arrived at the Hard Rock Café in Gothenburg. A cozy atmosphere and great conversation topics led to devouring the Classic Burger alongside a few beers. However, there wasn’t much “Hard Rock” to be found. Maybe the wrong music channel was playing on the speakers and screens around us. It was mostly pop hits. And when some R(ubbish) & B(ad) tracks played, the confusion was complete.
After paying the bill, we opted to walk back to the hotel. Along the way, we made a quick stop at the local Coop to stock up on chocolate bars. Because, wow, Sweden has some amazing chocolate. This earned us a few odd looks, though. Understandable, I suppose—it must be quite a sight when four middle-aged men show up at your counter with about ten chocolate bars at 9:45 PM…
An Afternoon of History#
The alarm went off early on Saturday. It was time to dive into the reason for the trip. The first few hours after waking up were filled with a refreshing shower and a hearty breakfast, complete with some Swedish meatballs. It quickly became clear why the Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel is considered Europe’s best theme park hotel. Everything was perfect, down to the smallest detail.
After breakfast, we had a bit of time to take a walk to a lookout point just outside the park. From there, we had a stunning view of the park and could already admire the steel and wood coasters we would brave later in the day. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much time to enjoy it, as a surprise awaited us at noon. Back at the hotel, we waited for everyone to gather and for our host for the day. Once everyone was present, Pontus Hallsberg, Liseberg’s Commercial Coordinator, gave a welcome speech. Under his guidance, it was finally time to enter the park.
The surprise was a tour of the Lisebergbanan maintenance workshop. This roller coaster, built in 1987 by Anton Schwarzkopf, was a significant highlight, as Schwarzkopf was the reason we chose Liseberg for this year’s Winterfest. Later in the day, we would attend the European premiere of The Legacy of Schwarzkopf documentary. Lisebergbanan was Schwarzkopf’s favorite coaster. As mentioned earlier, it was, unfortunately, one of the two coasters closed during the winter season. But the tour made up for it. The atmosphere, history, and distinctive workshop smell were all immersive, accompanied by anecdotes and wonderful stories from Pontus.
Afterward, we had a little time to explore the park. Actual rides would have to wait. The next event was the documentary premiere. In a cozy cinema at the hotel, we enjoyed an hour and a half of captivating insights into Schwarzkopf’s history and impact on the amusement industry. More than 200 ACE members contributed to this documentary, which included footage from the US, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and even Brazil. When Liseberg appeared on screen, the room erupted in cheers. The documentary will be available to the public next year, but for now, here’s the teaser—it’s absolutely worth the watch.
A Balder ERT#
After seeing those incredible images, the urge to ride coasters reached unbearable levels. We had spent hours in the park without a single ride—unthinkable! There was some time before dinner, so we bundled up and headed to Valkyria, Europe’s tallest and longest Dive Coaster. What an incredibly smooth ride! After the first drop, we all agreed—this is what Baron 1898 at Efteling should have been: decent length, three fantastic inversions, and now my favorite Dive Coaster. With barely any queue, we hopped on for another go.
The day was packed, so after some wandering, it was time for dinner. Strolling through the festively decorated park with its food stalls and game stands (where you could win massive 2KG Marabou, Kex, or Toblerone bars), we arrived at Tyrolen restaurant, where a delicious schnitzel awaited. After the meal, it was back to the rides.
We ticked off the kiddie coasters Stampbanan and Rabalder, with Rabalder being a delightful surprise—a surprisingly fun ride! Next, we sought out the park’s relatively new dark ride, Underlandet. This ride takes you on a whimsical journey through the underground life of the park’s rabbit mascot. It’s full of humor and charm—a must-see.
By 10 PM, the park was closing, and it was time to prepare for the cold. Thermals on, wool gloves and scarf ready—the temperature had dropped to around 4–5°C. The night’s highlight was a nighttime ERT on Balder, the coaster I had been most looking forward to. Following Colossus at Heide Park last month, this was my second pre-fab woodie. After the day guests left, we boarded the train a little after 10. Over the next 45 minutes, we managed 11 thrilling rides on this masterpiece of a wooden coaster. Words can’t do it justice. From start to finish, it’s an airtime-filled wonder. You can hear the up-stop wheels working hard to keep the car on track, and with nothing but your thighs against the restraint, it’s pure joy. A massive grin and a hoarse voice from laughter—what an epic end to an incredible day!
How Quickly It Goes#
Saturday ended with good conversation and drinks at the rooftop bar. Sunday began with another delicious breakfast and lunch at the hotel before heading back to the park for some final rides on Valkyria and Balder. We ended with one last dive underground in Underlandet. By the afternoon, it was time to say our goodbyes and head home. And that’s when you realize how small the world has become. One moment you’re riding a coaster in Sweden, the next, you’re back on your couch enjoying the first craft beer from your advent calendar.
A huge thank you to everyone behind the scenes at ACE Europe for organizing this fantastic weekend, and of course, to Liseberg for their hospitality.